Sanitary combination barbering robe



Sept. 26, 1950 l J. 5. PRIVOTT 2,523,323

SANITARY COMBINATION BARBERING ROBE Filed May 8, 1947 774/0 PAY NECK STE/P 19 I F465 SYWWM TIT To JOHN spy/1mm .az/ F/YCE Patented Sept. 26, 1950 SANITARY COMBINATION BARBERING ROBE .lohn S. Privott, Mount Rainier, Md., assignor of one-fourth to Joseph Y. Houghton,

Chase, Md.

Chevy Application May 8, 1947, Serial No. 746,715

19 Claims. I

More particular objects of the invention, severally and interdependently, are the provision of a disposable single-use barbering robe having a neck-opening filler but partially severed therefrom and completely separable in the sight of the customer; the provision of such a device in which the said filler, on removal, constitutes an auxiliary-use element; the provision of a disposable combination barber robe and two-ply neck strip separable therefrom; the provision of a combination disposable robe having auxiliary-use elements secured adjacent the spine-line thereof and separable therefrom; the provision of a combination disposable robe having a duster element secured adjacent the spine-line thereof and separable therefrom; the provision of a combination disposable robe having a damp wiper secured adjacent the spine-line thereof and separable therefrom; the combination in a single disposable sheet of a customers robe and a neck strip and toweling elements formed integral therewith and separable therefrom; the arrangement of crepeing in a combination robe having a neck strip separable therefrom to provide proper stretchability in the separated elements; the

provision of a peculiar arrangement of elements and folds in a combination robe and neck strip facilitating detaching of the neck strip and unfolding of the robe; the coordination of perforated lines of separation in a combination device of the class described with the lines of fold thereof to facilitatedetachment of the separable parts; the coordination of the mode of folding of a device of the class described to facilitate fitting of the device to the form of the customer; and the provision of other advantageous features which will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment illustrative of the invention.

The invention consists in the provision of a simple single sheet device comprising a barber- 'ing robe and detachable auxiliary-use elements so organized and coordinated as to contribute 2 to the attaining of the aforesaid particular and general objects, and resides in the particular combinations and arrangements defined in the appended claims.

In the illustrative embodiment of the inven tion disclosed in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an unfolded perspective view of a combination device in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the device unfolded except along its lensthl Fig. 3 is a similar view of the detachedtwoply neck strip thereof.

Fig. 4 is a similar View to an enlarged scale of the detached and twisted duster section.

Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective of an exemplary form of clip which-*may be used to secure the robe in place on the customer;

In the illustrated form'of the invention shown in the drawings, the entire combination device is formed from a single sheet ll] of creped paper of suitable dimensions.

While the dimensions may be varied within reasonable limits .and to adapt the device for various services, it has been found that a sheet sixty inches long and fifty inches wide in overall dimensions, and creped so as to be stretch able in its longer dimension, is eminently satisfactory for hair-cutting and the like.-

In accordance with this invention the sheet I6 is perforated in a peculiar manner coordinated with the folding of the device to provide a robe section II andone or more detachable auxiliaryuse elements secured thereto adjacent the spineline AA orjthe neck line l2l3, or both, in such a manner that detachment thereof does not en.-

In the form croach upon the robe ll proper. shown, the entire device in'its folded condition maybe stored in a space approximately tenby thirteen inches in area, and individual'folded devices, even when made of particularly strong crepe, may have a thickness of less'than of an inch, so that a pile of fifty devices will have an over-all heighth of only about ten inches.

In the particular form shown, the upper end of the combination device is provided with two rows I2 of longitudinal neck-line defining perforations, paralleling its center line and symmetrically spaced at each side thereof and with an arcuate neck-line perforation" [3 connecting the lower ends thereof. Preferably the rows of formed as a single substantially semi-circular out having a radius of approximately three inches. While any form of perforations may be tent leaving relatively small unsevered sections therebetween to provide for efficient separation of the embraced section 14 despite the tendency of creped paper to tear in a non-linear manner. The nose of the strip [4 embraced by the arc I3 is preferably completely separated from the sheet throughout its arcuate extent for the purpose hereinafter more fully described.

The sheet is folded lengthwise along its center line I5, which passes through the center of the separable element 14 as shownin Fig. 2, so that the separable strip l4 becomes a two-ply detachable element as shown.

At a suitable distance from the top edge of sheet 10, and substantially parallel to the spineline AA of the robe section, suitable perforations I! are provided to enable separation from the robe body I! of the auxiliary-use elements I8, I9, 20 and 2|. The spine-line AA of the robe section, as indicated in Fig. 1, extends transversely of the neck line defining perforations l2 and at a distance from the center of the arc l3, measured therealong and along the neck-line l2, equal to about half the circumference of the neck of the average man. When the robe is draped about the shoulders of the patron as hereinafter described, the sections of the spineline AA descending from the back of the neck of the patron lie generally vertically in back of the patron, and the auxiliary use elements positioned beyond the spine-line AA are presented in the overlapping back portions of the device.

In the preferred form, when the proportions above mentioned are employed, the rows of perforations I! are advantageously spaced approximately ten inches from the top edge of sheet l0. Desirably these rows of perforations are of the well-known toothed cutter form in which an interrupted saw-toothed blade strikes out small flaps from the paper leaving narrow connecting strips therebetween. In the form shown three such strike-outs are provided adjacent each of the separable auXiliary-useelements l8 and 2!, and two such strike-outs are provided adjacent each of the separable elements I!) and 26. In this form it will be noted. that the strike-outs do not extend across the strip l4.

As further shown in Figs. 1 and'2, the separable'seetions I8'i9 and 29-2l abovethe row of perforations I! is preferably subdivided" by further longitudinal rows of perforations 23 and 24. In the form shown these: perforations are of the longitudinal roulette variety. and are easily cutby a rotary knife element having an interrupted edge. With a sheetof the preferred dimensions above indicated the rows of perforations 23 and 24 are preferably spaced slightly nearer to the rows of perforations I2 than to the sheet edges parallel thereto for the purpose hereinafter stated' When the proportions above mentioned are employed, a spacing of theperforated lines 23 and 24 ten inches from the rows I2 and approximately twelve inches from the sheet edges ispreferred. The'rows of perforations 23 and 24 in cooperation with the rows of perforations I! thus demark auxiliary-use sections separable from the robe body II. The element I8 and the element 2|, in a device of the 4 proportions indicated, have a size of approximately ten by twelve inches, and one of these elements may be employed as the barbers hand towel and the other as the customer drying towel. The elements l9 and 20, in this case, have dimensions approximately ten by ten inches, and one of these elements may be twisted to form a duster as shown in Fig. 4, while the other may be detached and moistened with water or lotion, or

both, and employed for removal of residual lather after neck shaving and the like, and prior to employment of the customer dryer.

The sheet H) in addition to its center fold I5. is back-folded along parallel lines 26 and 21, preferably so spaced from the sheet edges that the outer edges of the sheet overlie the separable strip It; by a substantial amount, as indicated at B in Fig. 2, while allowing the folded edge of the strip M to extend therebeyond by a substantial amount, as indicated at C in Fig. 2.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the fold lines 26 and 21 are preferably co-linear with the rows of perforations 23 and 24. This tends to Weaken the fibers of the connecting strips between the perforations of rows 23 and 24' and facilitates separation of the elements 18 and I9 and of the elements 20 and 2 I, and offsets the tendency of creped paper to tear off-line.

After being longitudinally folded as shown in Fig. 2, the sheet further folded in zig-zag fashion along lines 28, 29, 30, 3| and 32 at right angles to the fold lines I 5, 26 and 21. With a sheet of the preferred dimensions above mentioned, the portion of the sheet above the line of perforations IT is folded on that line of perfonations and the robe proper is folded back and forth along lines spaced at ten-inch intervals therefrom. The completely folded device thus has an area of approximately ten by thirteen inches, and a stack of the devices may readily be stored in a barbers sanitary cabinet.

The laws in progressive jurisdictions require that the barber wash his hands prior to serving each customer; that only clean towels be used in each barbering operation; and that the robe employed be clean at all times. Notwithstanding these provisions, various requirements of law are frequently omitted by careless or hurried barbers. When observed by customers this causes ill will and loss of trade; when observed by the health inspectors it may result in fines being levied on the shop owner. With the device of the presentinvention, a fresh robe, neck strip and toweling elements are employed for every customer and may be separated in his sight so that he knows they have not been used before.

In use of this device the barber after washing his hands may lift the top element 18 (or 2|) of the folded unit and dry his hands thereon, simultaneously tearing or snatching this element from the unit. As this element is coextensive with the top of the pack, and both perforated and folded on its two attaching edges, this mode of removal is facilitated. Following drying of the hands, and preferably before removal of the duster element I9 (or 20), the folded device is lifted from its rack and unfolded downwardly to assume the condition shown in Fig. 2. Holding the edges 26 and 21 in one hand, the barber then may grasp the lower end of strip I l adjacent the perforation I3, which is conveniently projected by the mode of folding above stated. Thus with a simple pull the en,- tire strip [4 may be removed, as shown in Fig. 3.

Following removal of the neck strip section I4, the robe edges, which project over the space vacated thereby in mutually separated relation, are grasped in the two hands and a simple spreading motion effects unfolding of the entire robe. The unfolded robe may then be placed upon the chest and shoulders of the customer.

Concurrently with the removal of the neck strip, or prior or subsequent thereto, the auxiliary-use element I9 (or 20) maybe removed and may be grasped at its center 33, Fig. 4, by the fingers of one hand while the marginal portions are swept upwardly with the other hand to form the dusting portion of a sanitary powder duster. The lower section of the so-shaped element, as shown in Fig. 4, may be twisted at 34' adjacent its center portion 33 to form a handle portion, which may be tucked into the breast pocket of the'barbers coat. The resulting flexible crepedpaper dusting element, Fig. 4, is well adapted for use in dusting away clipped hair, and to receive powder in the open folds of its upper end for application to the neck and face of the customer. After the robe has been placed on the chest and shoulders of the customer, the barber may stand behind the chair and stretch the separated two-ply neck strip M (Fig. 3) about the neck of the customer, preferably with the folded edge at the top thereof, overlapping the two ends of the strip at the back of the neck. He may then draw the neck opening I2, I3 of the robe snugl into engagement with the neck strip I4, and secure the robe about the customer in any suitable manner, as by use of a safety pin or a bendable sheet metal clip such as that shown in Fig. 5, for example. The portion of the neck strip I4 extending above the neck opening I2, I3 of the robe may now [be folded downwardly over the robe edge. In this fashion, swithout other provision, a five-ply absorptive area is provided about the front of the customers neck and a nine-ply absorptive area is provided about the back of the neck. When the proportions above indicated are used the neck strip is of sufiicient length to extend the nine-ply area "well around the sides of the neck of the usual customer, affording full protection of the collar from moisture during the latherinlg and washing incidental to the shaving of the neck and temple regions.

As the cutting of the hair progresses, the duster element, Fig. 4, is used as needed with or without the application of powder thereto. On completion 'of the cutting operation, the robe and neck. strip are preferably left in place during the shaving of the neck. Machine-made lather is generally employed for this purpose and during this shaving operation the razor may be wiped from time to time on the previously employed hand towel section I 8. Following the neck shav- V in the auxiliary-use element 20, which may have been left attached to the robe edge adjacent its spine-line up to this time, is separated and moistened with water or lotion and employed body of the customer. the robe of paper creped to give it longitudinal tomer. Where powder has-been previously used, the residual powder in the duster is usually sufficient for this purpose. I

It will be understood from a consideration of Fig. 1 that when the robe is drawn about the neck of thecustomer and allowed to drape about his shoulders, the shoulders will substantially underlie the portions of the robe indicated by the dotdash shoulder lines D and E, Fig. 1, while the edges .of the robe paralleling the spine-line AA overlap one another behind the barber chair and extend substantially vertically.

It will be further understood that, if the robe of this invention be held with its center line facing the customer when its side edges are grasped for unfolding the same, and be then laid against the chest and shoulders, the lateral sections outside the fold lines 26 and Ti both will .tendto, fold in a downward direction, thus aiding in conforming the drape of the rob-e to the In addition, by forming stretch, a good fit over the knees may be obtained merely by holding the lap section while pulling the lower central edge of the robe to produce a local stretch, and hence a bulge, at the knee region.

Whether an individual barber follows the order of removal of the auxiliary-use elements preferred, or adopts an arbitrary order ofremoval and use thereof, this device in a simple and inexpensive manner provides in a single sheet both a robe element and a full set of auxiliaryuse elements, thus assuring the customer of complete sanitation.

-It will be appreciated that the hand toweling element I8 may be employed after use in drying the hands for drying the barber tools which have been dipped in liquid disinfectant as well as for wiping of lather from the razor, and that this or another of the auxiliary use elements may be .employed as a clean new towel upon which to lay thetools.

lines of separation of the device it will be observed that the device is well adapted for mass production. Thus, as a paper roll of fifty-inch w1dth is fed longitudinally through the crepeing 'machine, it may pass therefrom through a pair -of cutter rolls. These cutter rolls may have a diameter of approximately nineteen inches irnparting to the rolls a circumference of sixty inches. A single cutter blade of either continuous edge or saw-toothed form extending longi- 'tudinally of the roll may separate the web intothe sixty-inch units.

ing'interrupted knives in one roll, cooperating Circumferentially extendwith grooves in the other, may at the same time out the lines of perforations 23, 24 and I2. Fur-' ther interrupted longitudinal saw-tooth cutters on one roll, cooperating with recesses in the other, may strike out the lines of flaps H. The circumferential knives cutting the rows of perforations IZmay continue around the roll for a substantial distance beyond those cutting the rows of slits 23 and 24, and may terminate in a semi-circular knife section of straight or sawtoothed edge construction for effecting the arcuate separation l3. If the cutter rolls are arranged to be rotated in one direction, the end of the creped paper web will first be perforated along the lines of separation and will'then roll freely through the blank sections of the cutter rolls while the revolution thereof is completed, after whichthe first unit is separated from the web and the perforating operation recommenced on the succeeding web end. If desired the cutter rolls may be reversed and driven in the opposite direction so that the leading end of the cut web travels through the blank sections of the rolls and cutting proceeds from the line [3 toward the top of the unit.

Following the sub-dividing and perforating of the web, the spread units of Fig. 1 may pass through a longitudinal folder to impart the folds i5, 26 and 2? thereto. The folded strip, now in the general form shown in Fig. 2, may then proceed to a succeeding folding mechanism by which it is folded on lines 28, 29, 3D, 3! and 32 in any suitable order, the completely folded unit being fed to a stacking or packaging machine. As the particular construction of the device eliminates any requirement for the attachment of paster sections or the like thereto, and eliminates all requirements for removal of pushed-out sections during the manufacture thereof, the manufacturing operation is reduced to one of the utmost simplicity and cheapness.

In the average barber shop, a cloth robe is used for approximately a dozen customers, and approximately two towels are used per customer. The cost of robes and towels to the barber shop, when supplied by the usual towel service companies, thus ordinarily exceeds four cents per customer, apart from the cost of other auxiliaryuse devices.

By the present invention the combination device is so simplified and reduced in cost that it can be purchased by the shop at a figure comparable to its normal laundry cost. A main barrier to prior attempts to provide sanitary barbering robes is thus eliminated.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the particular arrangements disclosed to exemplify the same, and its several features may be variously embodied.

What is claimed is:

l. A disposable paper barbering device comprising in a single sheet a section shaped as a U-necked robe body and, appended to the U- necked edge thereof,.integral but partially severed detachable auxiliary use means comprising a portion preventing application of the U-neck section to the neck of a patron until said portion is detached. r

2. A paper barbering robe having a neck opening filler only partially severed therefrom and preventing use of the neck opening when in place, said partial severance extending around at least three marginal edges of the filler and adapting it to be bodily removed immediately prior to use to form the neck opening in the robe and demonstrate to the customer that a new robe is being used.

3. A paper barbering robe having a neck opening defined by a U-shap-ed partial severance adjacent its upper edge that outlines a separable section integral with the robe, the presence of which prevents use of the neck opening, and the removal of which provides an auxiliary use section and at 8 the same time opens the neck opening to the edge of the robe.

4. A device according to claim 3 in which at least the separable section is formed of paper creped in a direction to render it longitudinally stretchable, and in which said U-shaped section is of a neck-embracing length longitudinally of the robe to constitute a separable cushioning and sealing collar to be wrapped about the neck of a 0 patron in interposed relation to the neck edge of the robe.

5. As an article of manufacture, a folded paper barbering robe having a U-shaped partial severance approximately six inches wide and about three times that long leading to its upper edge,

said robe being folded longitudinally through the middle of said U-shaped section and thus exposing the folded U-shaped section in its folded edge, whereby said'folded U-shaped section may be separated from the folded robe to constitute a two-ply neck wrapping strip while providing a neck opening in the robe that is U-shaped on unfolding of the robe.

6. A barbering device according to claim 5 in which at least that part of the robe from which the U-shaped section is partially severed is formed of paper creped to stretch in the direction of the length of the removed section.

7. A barbering device according to claim 1 in 0 which said auxiliary-use means comprises a section having a length sufficient to extend around the neck of a patron so as to constitute a separable neck wrapping strip and in which at least said section is creped in a direction to impart longitudinal stretch to said strip.

8. A barbering device according to claim 1 in which said auxiliary-use means comprises a section attached to the robe proper beyond the spineline thereof, and preformed to provide at least one hand-sized wiper element retainable on the back of the robe during use until needed in th barbering operation.

9. A combination disposable robe device comprising a single sheet having a centered U-shaped 5 partial severance'extending from its upper edge defining a removable neck strip, and having generally-rectangular partially-severed removable Wiper sections extending from its upper edge at each side of said U-shaped partial severance.

0 10. As an article of manufacture, a combination disposable robe device according to claim 9, folded on a central longitudinal line passing lengthwise through the center of said U-shaped section, and with its side sections folded back on either side of its central section so that its upper side edges lie in partial overlapping relation to said U-shaped section, whereby said U-shaped section protrudes from between said side edges, facilitating its removal in the longitudinally folded condition of the device, and whereby, on removal of said U-shaped section, said upper side edges project into the space vacated thereby in mutually spaced relation, facilitating their separate grasping for opening the robe to its full width. 11. As an article of manufacture a folded combination disposable robe device according to claim 10 which is also folded in Zig-zag fashion in a direction transverse to said longitudinal folds, so as to present the detachable sections at the top of the folded unit. 7

12. A combination disposable robe device comprising a single disposable sheet approximately fifty by sixty inches in size, said sheet having a partially severed central section extending from the top'of the sheet approximately six inches wide and approximately twenty inches long and arcshaped at its lower end; a transverse line of partial severance extending from said central section to the sheet edge at each side thereof and approximately ten inches from the top edge of the sheet, and lines of partial severance extending from the top edge of the sheet substantially to said transverse line of partial severance, and located intermediate said partially severed central section and the side edges of the sheet.

13. As an article of manufacture, a folded combination disposable robe device according to claim 12, said article being longitudinally folded through its center, and having its side portions folded over on its central portion in partially overlapping relation to said partially severed, central section.

14. A folded manufacture according to claim 13, in which said line of partial severance extending from the top edge of the sheet to the transverse line of partial severance are aligned with the foldlines between said side portions and central portion.

15. A folded manufacture according to claim 14 in which said longitudinally-folded sheet is transversely folded along said transverse line of partial severance.

16. A folded manufacture according to claim 15 in which said longitudinally-folded sheet is further folded in zig-zag fashion along transverse lines parallel to said transverse line of partial severance and spaced from one another by distances equal to the spacing of said transverse line of partial severance from the top edge of the sheet.

1'7. A combination disposable robe device acpaper sheet partially severed to define therein adjacent its upper edge laterally positioned removable wiper sections of the sheet and a partially severed removable neck opening filler section of the sheet extending from its upper edge to a greater depth than said wiper sections, which filler section must be removed to create the neck opening in the sheet and on removal constitutes a wrap-around neck strip suitable for interposition between the edge of the neck opening and the neck of a customer.

19. A folded manufacture comprising an article according to claim 18, which article is folded longitudinally through its neck opening filler sec tion, and has its side sections folded back on either side of its central section so that the upper parts of its side edges lie in partial overlapping relation to said folded filler section with the folded edge of the filler section protruding from between said side edges, whereby the protruding folded. edge of the filler section may be grasped for removing the filler section before opening of said folds, the removal of the filler section from the so folded article leaving the upper parts of said side edges projecting into the space vacated by the filler in mutually spaced relation and thus facilitating their being grasped for opening the robe to its full width.

JOHN S. PRIVOTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 711,981 Lankenau Oct. 28, 1902, 1,793,243 Peterson et a1 Feb. 17, 1931 1,980,436 Reagan Nov. 13, 1934 2,093,483 Sackett Sept. 21, 1937 2,224,746 Richstein Dec. 10, 1940 2,289,526 Tapper July 14, 1942 2,424,680 Doyle July 29, 1947 

